Drawbench



1949 E. J. M ILVRIED ET AL 2,492,876

DRAWBENCH Filed Dec. 20, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m INVENTORS EDWINJ. MclLVRlEQ and NORMAN H.NYE BY ATTORNEYS I Dec. 27, 19 E. J. McILVRlED ETAL 2,492,376

I DRAWBENCH Filed Dec. 20, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS EDWIN J.Mc'|LVR-IED and NORMAN H.NYE

ATTORNEYS Deci 27, 1949 5. J. MCILVRIED ETAL 2,492,876

' DRAWBENGH Filed Dec. 20, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 EDW'IN J. MclLVRlED and NORMAN H.NYE

AT ORNEYS 9. Z0 INVENTORS Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view, the plane of the section being indicated by the line l8l8, Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is partly a plan and partly a sectional view, more or less diagrammatic in character, showing more particularly the connections for supplying lubricant to the work-holders illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 20 is a vertical longitudinal section corresponding to that of Fig. 9 but showing the opposite end of the loading mechanism, i. e. the right hand end of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 21 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 2 l2l, Fig. 20; and

Fig. 22 is a central sectional view of one of the work-piece holders showing the manner in which the mandrel rod is attached.

The draw-bench with which our improved loading mechanism is designed to be associated forms no part of the present invention and may be of any well known design. The parts of a typical draw-bench wherewith such loading mechanism will be associated when in use are illustrated in Fig. 20 and will be described later in setting forth the operation of the loading mechanism.

Such loading mechanism, as generally illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a longitudinally extending main frame I, conveniently assembled of parallel channel or L-shaped sections as illustrated in Fig. 3, such main frame being supported on bases 2 and 3 at its respective ends and by such number of intermediate pedestals l as may be required, depending upon the length of the machine. As previously indicated, for the purpose of handling certain types of tubular products a very long drawing bench may be employed, and a loading mechanism of corresponding length will accordingly be required. The work-pieces, whether tubular or solid, 1. e. of rod-like form, are designed to be successively supplied to the machine from the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 and after being loaded therein are then designed to be moved in reverse direction, i. e. to the right, to bring the end of such work-piece in operative relation to the drawing mechanism proper.

Mounted for rotative movement above the main frame or bed i is the work-piece carrier which extends substantially the entire length of such bed and is adapted thus to receive the successive work-pieces and deliver them to the draw-bench. The main element of this carrier is a central shaft which in case the over-all length of the machine should make it necessary or convenient will be made up of aligned sections non-rotatively joined together by one or more couplings 6. For the purpose of rotatably supporting shaft 5 on the bed, there is secured to such shaft at spaced intervals a plurality of arcuate bearing rings 1 (see Fig. 3) each of which rests on a pair of trunnion bearings 8, 8, that are attached to and lie a suitable distance above the side walls of the frame to permit such bearing ring to clear the latter. While shaft 5 has been referred to as a rotatable shaft, it will actually require only to be oscillated through an arc of approximately 180 and the openings in the rings, all of which face in the same direction, will at no time drop below the contiguous bearing 8. The number of bearing rings 1 and their spacing along the shaft 5 will of course depend first upon the length of such shaft and secondly upon the character of the work-pieces to be handled, whether large or small, light or heavy.

For the purpose of guiding the work-pieces into and out of the carrier and for assisting in 4. holding the same in proper place therein, a series of paired guide members I!) is provided, the detailed construction of which is best shown in Figs. 20 and 21. As there shown, each such pair of guide members is secured to the shaft 5 by oppositely extending arms II whereby said members are held in alignment longitudinally of and parallel with the shaft. Said guide members furthermore all lie within the space defined by the hearing rings 1. While the guide members may take on various forms, they preferably are of flaring or bell-mouth shape with their larger openings directed toward the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2; moreover, they are desirably made openable on the side corresponding with the opening in said bearing rings. To this end, in the specific construction illustrated, each such guide member is split longitudinally, the one section being hingedly connected to the other and suitable securing means, such as the swinging bolt l2, being provided to retain the members closed when in use.

At the left hand end of the machine, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 (see also Figs. 8 and 9) i. e. the end furthest removed from the draw-bench, the corresponding end of carrier shaft 5 is received and additionally supported in a bearing [5 provided in a housing l6 that extends upwardly from the adjacent base 2 of the machine. To such shaft end, beyond bearing I5, is secured a gear I! which meshes with a vertical reciprocable rack la, the latter being connected at its lower end with rod I9 of a hydraulic cylinder and piston 20. Through its connection with gear H such reciprocating movement of the rack is designed to oscillate shaft 5 through an arc of approximately first in one direction, then the other.

The supply of liquid or other pressure fluid to cylinder 20 is controlled by a suitable valve, not shown. However, there is shown an electric switch 24, which controls the relay circuit through which such pressure fluid supply is in turn controlled. A horizontally extending rod 2| above bed 2 (see Fig. 9) is operatively connected at one end with such electric switch 24, while its other end is disposed for engagement with the workpiece reciprocating device which will be presently described. A spring 22 associated with rod 2! serves normally to hold the switch 24 in open position so that rack [8 cannot be moved from one to the other of its limiting positions until the rod 2| is moved against such spring to close the switch.

Spaced inwardly (i. e. to the right as viewed in Figs. 8 and 9) a short distance from housing Hi, there is non-rotatably secured to shaft 5 a shell 25 that is formed with two oppositely facing guideways 26. The length of these guide- Ways will be somewhat greater than that of the movement which it is required should be imparted to a work-piece in the carrier to move the same into position to be drawn after such workpiece has been loaded in the carrier and the latter oscillated or indexed to align the further end of such work-piece with the draw-bench die. Reciprocably mounted on each such guideway 26 is a slide 21 provided with a radial projection 28 wherein is longitudinally adjustably mounted a holder 29 for the work-piece and for the mandrel rod 30 where as in drawing a tubular article a mandrel will require to be employed. In order to thus adjustably support holders 29, each is attached to a shaft 3| which is tubular, for a purpose presently to be explained, and which is mounted in the corresponding projection 28 in threaded engagement with a rotatable bushing drel head with the rod to which it is attached appears in elevation in -its retracted position while the lower such rod and head appear in section in their advanced position, i. e. in the position in which the head is located in proper operative relation to die 12 through which the tube T is being drawn by means of. a drawing device D which may be of any well known construction. Ordinarily such device consists of opposed gripper jaws mounted on a carriage which may be connected to an endless chain or like driving means capable of moving the carriage with the end of the tube gripped thereto as indicated by the direction arrow. In order that the adjacent end of tube T may be introduced into the die and project therebeyond into position to be gripped by the jaws in device D, such end t is reduced in diameter as also shown in Fig. 20.

Referring further to the construction of the mandrel rod and head, such rod, it will be seen, is formed with a central passageway 13 extending its entire length, such passageway, when the rod is secured in holder 29 (see Fig. 9), constituting in effect a continuation of the passage in the tubular work holder support 3|. The head I0, which is secured as stated to the operative end of the mandrel rod, is formed with radial passages H which communicate with the central passageway 13 of the rod and permit the lubricant after traversing such last named passage to escape into the interior of the tube T immediately adjacent where the latter is being drawn through die 12. Excess lubricant beyond what may accumulate in the tube while thus being drawn may flow rearwardly and escape at the further end of the tube which abuts the work holder 29.

The upper tube T, as previously indicated, is shown in Fig. 20 in intermediate position in the course of its being loaded into the work carrier. Movement of the tube to the right over the mandrel head and rod may be effected in any way desired, but ordinarily mechanical means will be provided for the purpose, these means (only partly illustrated in the figure in question) include a vertically adjustable rest R and a pusher P actuated by an endless cable or the like which is disposed so as to engage the pinched end of a tube located on said rest and move the same to the right as indicated by the direction arrow. A stock of the tubes to be drawn may be carried on a rack or the like (not illustrated) adjacent such pushers path of travel and one tube at a time may be drawn therefrom, placed in loading position and pushed into the carrier.

In its final loaded position the pinched end i of the tube will be brought in closely contiguous relation to the mandrel head 10 of the retracted mandrel rod H. In this position such tube end will clear the die 12 and its mounting upon rotation of the work carrier.

To assist in supporting the tube as it is being loaded into the carrier and directing it through the successive guides IU of the latter, a supplemental guide device is mounted on shaft 5 adjacent its right hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 and left hand end as viewed in Fig. 20. This device consists of two oppositely directed grooved rollers 15 which are normally pressed outwardly by springs 16 so that the upper thereof will engage with the tube being loaded in the manner just described. However, the lower tube which is being drawn through die 14 may drop so as partially to clear the other roller 15 and thus freely center itself in the die. A further support for the lower tube, 1. e. the one thus being drawn, is pro- 8 vided in the form of a transverse roller 11 mounted on the bed of the machine, such roller being carried by swingable arms 18 (see Figs. 6 and 7) which may be held in desired position through an adjusting arm 19, in order to support the tube on a level with the die.

In addition to rollers 15 which serve to guide the work-piece into the carrier, the guide device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is desirably provided to hold the free end of the mandrel rod in proper position to receive such work-piece, where the latter is of tubular form. This supplemental device, like the one previously described, is mounted on shaft 5 adjacent the loading end of the carrier, the supporting members taking the form of flattened V's which are normally held by springs 8| in position to engage the mandrel rod in the same manner as the rollers 15 of the previously described device engage the work-piece. However, when the tube advancing over a mandrel strikes the corresponding support 80, the latter readily yields and drops out of the way. As best shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 20, spring BI is part of a simple toggle operative to hold pivotally mounted support 80 out of contact with the tubing T once it has been thus displaced, thereby avoiding friction and possible jamming during the drawing operation. Handles 82 serve to return said supports again to operative position when required.

The operation of the several component parts or devices of our improved loading mechanism have been sufliciently described incidentally to a description of these parts. Accordingly, it remains only to set forth the general operation of the machine. The work-piece carrier, as already made clear, is designed to be rotated first in one direction and then the other through approximately whereby first the one and then the other of the work holders 29, with its attached mandrel rod, is brought into the loading position illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 20. Simultaneously the second holder, with its mandrel rod, will be brought into alignment with the drawing mechanism proper, i. e. the die 12. The upper holder and mandrel rod during loading position will be retracted so that the tube received thereon may be rotated from the upper position illustrated in Fig. 20 to the lower position without interfering with any part of the mechanism. When the corresponding holder is brought into such lower position it is moved forwardly so as to bring the corresponding mandrel head into operative relation to the die and simultaneously the lubricant control valve is actuated to connect the lubricant passage in such holder and the mandrel rod carried thereby with the source of supply. As soon as the tube carried by such lower mandrel has been drawn entirely through the die, such mandrel is retracted and the carrier as a whole then oscillated in the opposite direction to its previous rotative movement and the several operations just described are repeated in the same order.

The movement of the several parts and devices of the machine may all be controlled from a single station which will be conveniently located adjacent the die where an operator will normally be required in order to watch the drawing operation. To this end the rods 35, which provide for the exact longitudinal adjustment of the mandrel heads in their relation to the die, extend to the corresponding end of the carrier where an operator thus stationed may effect such adjustment even during a drawing operation without leaving 9 his place. Since the work-piece carrier as a whole has only a rotative or rather oscillatory movement, it can be made of strong and substantial parts in counterdistinction to a carrier which requires to be bodily reciprocated in order to bring the work-pieces into and out of their loading and drawing positions. At the same time the several operative parts are simple and compact in their construction and not likely to get out of order. By having the guides ID disposed towards the open sides of the C-shaped bearing rings .whereby the shaft of the carrier is supported and making such guides openable, the replacement or exchange of mandrel rods in order to adapt the carrier for the handling of different sizes of tubes may be readily effected. In other words, it is not necessary to introduce the rod longitudinally of the machine but it can be placed laterally into position for attachment to the work holder.

As previously indicated, our improved loading mechanism may be employed for drawing solid as well as tubular work-pieces. In that event mandrels will not be employed and the rods with their heads will accordingly be omitted. The work-pieces, however, will be successively introduced into the carrier in the same manner as above described and brought into position to be drawn. The described lubricating mechanism will in such case of course be disconnected since only exterior lubrication of the piece being drawn through the die will be necessary.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. In loading mechanism for draw-benches and the like, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, two longitudinally reciprocable workpiece holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, approximately diametrically opposed relation about the axis thereof, meansadapted to oscillate said carrier to bring said holders alternately in alignment with the draw-bench, a member reciprocable longitudinally of the axis of said carrier and provided with a transverse slot, and an arcuate rib projecting radially from each of said holders adapted to engage with such slot as the holder is brought into alignment with the die,

2. In loading mechanism for a draw-bench ineluding a die and a device for drawing a tube through such die, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, longitudinally reciprocable holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, circumferentially spaced relation about the axis thereof, a mandrel attached at one end to each of said holders, means adapted to rotate said carrier to bring said mandrels successively in alignment with the die of said draw-bench, means adapted to supply lubricant through said holders, respectively, to the interior of a tube surrounding the mandrel attached to a holder, and means operating in unison with said carrier for controlling such lubricant supply.

3. In a loading mechanism for a draw-bench including a die and a device for drawing a tube through such die, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, longitudinally reciprocable holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, circumferentially spaced relation about the axis thereof, a mandrel attached at one end to each of said holders, means adapted to rotate said carrier to bring said mandrels successively in alignment with the die of said draw-bench, means adapted to supply lubricant through said holders, respectively, to the interior of a tube surroundingthe mandrel attached to a holder, and control means limiting such supply to the tube on a mandrel in alignment with said die.

4. In a loading mechanism for a draw-bench including a die and a device for drawing a tube through such die, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, longitudinally reciprocable holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, circumferentially spaced relation about the axis thereof, a mandrel attached at one end to each of said holders, means adapted to rotate said carrier to bring said mandrels successively in alignment with the die of said draw-bench, means adapted to supply lubricant through said holders, respectively, to the interior of a tube surrounding the mandrel attached to a holder, and control means limiting such supply to the tube on a mandrel in alignment with said die, said means including a valve operating synchronously with said carrier.

5. In a loading mechanism for a draw-bench including a die and a device for drawing a tube through such die, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, longitudinally reciprocable holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, circumferentially spaced relation about the axis thereof, a mandrel attached at one end to each of said holders, means adapted to rotate said carrier to bring said mandrels successively in alignment with the die of said draw-bench, means adapted to supply lubricant through said holders, respectively, to the interior of a tube surrounding the mandrel attached to a holder, control means limiting such supply to the tube on a mandrel in alignment with said die, said means including a valve operating synchronously with said carrier, and flexible ducts leading from said valve to said holders, respectively.

6. In a loading mechanism for a draw-bench including a die and a device for drawing a tube through such die, the combination of a rotatably supported carrier, longitudinally reciprocable holders in said carrier disposed in parallel, circumferentially spaced relation about the axis thereof, a mandrel attached at one end to each of said holders, means adapted to rotate said carrier to bring said mandrels successively in alignment with the die of said draw-bench, means adapted to supply lubricant through said holders, respectively, to the interior of a tube surrounding the mandrel attached to a holder, control means limiting such supply to the tube on a mandrel in alignment with said die, said means including a valve operating synchronously with said carrier, flexible ducts leading from said valve to said holders, respectively, said ducts being doubled back in the direction of movement of said holders, and a guide disposed to receive and support each duct as it is undoubled incidentally to such movement.

'7. A work-piece carrier for loading a drawbench or like machine, comprising in combination a longitudinally extending shaft, longitudinally aligned work-piece guides mounted in opposite, radially projecting relation on said shaft, opensided arcuate rings concentrically mounted on said shaft, the openings in said rings facing in the same direction and said guides lying within the space defined by said rings, and trunnion bearings for said rings.

8. A work-piece carrier'for loading a drawbench or like machine, comprising incombination a longitudinally extending shaft, longitudinally aligned work-piece guides mounted inopposite,

radially projecting relationonsaid shaft, opensided arcuate rings concentrically mounted on said shaft, the openings in said rings facing in the same direction and said guides lying within the space defined by said rings and being-openable on the side corresponding with the" openings in said rings, and trunnion bearings for said rings.

9. A work-piece carrier for a draw-benchor like machine, comprising in combinations. longitudinally extending rotatable shaft, longitudinally aligned work-piece guides mounted-in opposite, radially projecting relation on said shaft, a mandrel rod extending through said guides, supplemental, resiliently supported guides adapted to engage and support the work-piece, andindependent means adapted to support said mandrel pendent, dispiaceable means adapted to support 9 said mandrelin position to receive a work-piece. 11. In loading mechanism for draw benches and the like the combination'of a rotatably supported carrier, two longitudinally reciprocable workpiece holders in such carrier disposed in parallel approximately diametrically opposedrelation about the axis thereof, meansadapted'to oscillate said carrier to bring said holders-alternately in alignment with the draw bench, and;a single means operative positively'to reciprocate said respective holders comprising a member reciprocable parallel to the axis .of said carrienand means on said member adapted lockingly to engage with the respectiveholder thus aligned.

12. In loadingmechanism for. draw benches and the like the combination of. a rotatabiy supported carrier, two longitudinally reciprocable workpiece holders ,in ,said carrier disposedin parallel approximately, diametrically ,opposedrelation about theaxis thereoflmeansadapted.to

oscillate said carrier tobring said, holders alternately in alignmentwith thedraw benchnandna single means operativethus positively to reciprocate said respectiveholders comprising a member reciprocable parallel to the axis of said carrier and provided with a transverse engaging element, and a'complementary-element on each of said holders adapted alternately locklngly to engage with said element on :said member as such holder is brought into alignment with the die of such draw bench.

13. A workpiece carrier for a draw bench or like machine comprising in combination longitudinal- 1y aligned 'work-piece-guides for guiding a tubular-work-piece to the 'die of such draw bench, a mandrel rod extending through said guides and adapted to have such tubular work-piece received thereoma temporary support for said mandrelrod pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of the latter and adapted'to be engaged and displaced by'a tubular work-piece in course of being received on said mandrel rod, and toggle means adapted to hold said pivotally mounted support out of engagement with such tubular work-piece when thus displaced.

'14. Aworkpiece carrlerfor a draw bench or like machine comprising in combination longitudinally-aligned work-piece-guidesforguiding a tubular work-piece to thedie of such draw bench, a mandrel rod extending through said guides and adapted to havesuch tubular work-piece received thereon; a temporary support for said mandrel rod pivotally mounted intermediate the ends of the latter andadapted to be engaged and displaced by'a tubular work-piece in course of being received on said mandrel rod, and means adapted to hold said pivotally mounted support out of engagement with such tubular work-piece when thus displaced.

EDWIN J MoILVRIED.

NORMAN H; NYE.

REFERENCES CITED The Iollowingreferences are of record in the file of this-patent:

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